Medicine is learnt more as a science and applied
more as an art. While this is the practical reality, some may consider this to
be a compromise of scientific principles. On deeper study it appears not be a
compromise but something that is natural and inevitable.

The
term 'quantum' refers to the smallest amount of a physical quantity that can be
counted or measured. The name Quantum mechanics is derived from the observation
that some physical quantities can change only in discrete amounts (Latin
quanta), and not in a 'continuum' way. The theory and practice of
medicine needs to be understood in a similar 'quantum' rather than the
'continuum' way if the observed phenomena in the world of medicine are to be
fully accounted for. For example, when a disease is understood to be nearly
incurable by conventional medicine and is cured by an unexplained alternative
medicine, it is usually overlooked or disregarded as an 'exception'. The
quantum view of medicine can explain such apparent variations or exceptions.

We
understand the theory of a disease (its causation and treatment) based on some
scientific principles. There is a flow of understanding from one aspect to the
other like the continuous form as is familiar with Era 1 or 'body' medicine
(structure-based). The recently understood Era 2 or 'mind-body' (thought-based)
and Era 3 or 'mind-body-spirit' (feeling-based) medicine have their own way of understanding
disease causation and treatment. In practice, all these three 'Eras' of
medicine operate simultaneously (involving structure, thought and feeling) in
varying proportions in different situations with both conventional and
alternative medicine having components of all three 'Eras' within them.

If
such a phenomenon of simultaneous working of different 'Eras' is to be
explained, we need to visualize medicine as consisting of 'quanta' of these
different 'Eras'. While conventional medicine is currently having Era 1 as its
main component (with the nursing profession mainly providing the Era 2 and Era
3 components), the various streams of alternative medicine have Era 2 (e.g.
hypnotherapy) or Era 3 (e.g. faith healing) as their main component. The
outcome of a disease process would be decided by the 'quanta' of Era 1, 2, or 3
medicines in operation for the disease in question at the causative and
therapeutic levels. The physician would use one of these 'Eras' preferentially
depending on his own training and temperament.

While
we see quanta of different systems in operation in the same patient, each
quantum will have its effect independent of what precedes, follows or
accompanies it. Medicine in real time operates in such a quantum way. This
is supported by the fact that a high proportion of all patients who are treated
by conventional medicine are apparently benefited by concomitant use of some
form of alternative medicine. 1 The Era 2 and Era 3 components
of the different forms of alternative medicine largely contribute to their
unexplained effectiveness.

The
'quantum' framework helps in understanding conventional and alternative
medicine in terms of the three 'Eras' in medicine. While it is inevitable that students
study and learn mainly one of the three 'Eras' at the curriculum level,
practical experience with patients leads to the optimal use of different 'Eras'
by the patient-centred physician when he treats the patient from his 'heart'
rather than from the 'head'. For what is learnt by the 'head' (mainly body
medicine), when applied from the 'heart' acquires the positive and empathetic
qualities of 'mind-body' and 'mind-body-spirit' medicine respectively. It is predicted
that with increasing clarity about the role of spirituality in health, future
health care systems would take care of not only the requirements of the body
but also of the intangible soul. 2 Understanding the interaction of science and
spirituality helps in making medicine simpler, more satisfying for both the
patient and the physician and improve health care delivery.